Offshore structure

Abstract

The present invention relates to an offshore structure for sealing off and/or storing temporarily oil from an offshore well, where the offshore structure is manufactured as a double walled construction, the double walls being divided into a plurality of internal compartments. The internal compartments extend over at least a part of the offshore structure's vertical axis, where the internal compartments may be in fluid communication with each other. The offshore structure is furthermore open to ambient fluid through an open top and bottom and a plurality of openings in the outer and inner wall arranged around the circumference of the offshore structure.

1 . An offshore structure for sealing off and confining and controlling a flow of fluid from an offshore well, wherein the offshore structure comprises an outer and inner wall forming a double wall construction, a space between the outer and inner wall being divided into a plurality of compartments, the plurality of compartments extending over at least a part of the offshore structure's vertical axis, the offshore structure further being open to ambient fluid through an open top and bottom and a plurality of openings in the outer and inner wall arranged around the circumference of the offshore structure. 
     
     
         2 . An offshore structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the structure is manufactured from concrete, steel or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . An offshore structure according to  claim 1 , wherein lower ends of the outer and inner walls are terminated by an annular ring. 
     
     
         4 . An offshore structure according to  claim 1  or  3 , wherein the offshore structure is provided with a skirt over at least a part of its circumference, the skirt extending down below the offshore structure. 
     
     
         5 . An offshore structure according to  claim 1 , wherein a wall divides two adjacent compartments, where at least one fluid communications means is connected to the wall. 
     
     
         6 . An offshore structure according to  claim 4 , wherein the fluid communications means comprises at least one valve. 
     
     
         7 . An offshore structure according to  claim 1 , wherein an upper part of the offshore structure is provided with a closable opening, said opening being closable with at least one element. 
     
     
         8 . An offshore structure according to  claim 1 , wherein a conduit is connected to the opening of the offshore structure. 
     
     
         9 . An offshore structure according to  claim 7 , wherein the conduit is provided with at closing means, the closing means comprising a valve gate connected with an externally actuable driving means for movement of the gate between positions in which the conduit is open and closed, respectively. 
     
     
         10 . An offshore structure according to  claim 1 , wherein internal braces are provided between the double wall of the offshore structure. 
     
     
         11 . An offshore structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the offshore structure is provided with at least one opening for connection to supply means for injecting a filler material, such as concrete, sand or the like, in said space between the outer and inner walls.